Waveform observing apparatus and waveform observing system

ABSTRACT

There are provided a waveform observing apparatus and waveform observing system that solve a problem of displacement of a handwritten comment which occurs with enlargement/reduction in display in such a manner that, when a determination is NO in a process step, namely when a current compression ratio differs from a compression ratio at the time of writing a handwritten comment in displaying the handwritten comment to such a degree as to cause occurrence of non-allowable displacement, a process proceeds to a next process step, and a simple indication indicating the presence of the handwritten comment is displayed in a position associated with a portion of a waveform corresponding to a measured data number.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/502,362, filed July 14, 2009, and which claims foreignpriority based on Japanese Patent Application No.2008-200852, filed Aug.4, 2008, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a waveform observing apparatus fordisplaying measured data in waveform on a display, and a waveformobserving system including an external computer.

2. Description of the Background Art

There are known waveform observing apparatuses for storing measured dataon temperature and pressure of equipment on a factory production line,and also displaying a waveform on a display, such as a logger, ordisplaying a potential difference in waveform, such as an oscilloscope.The measured data on temperatures and pressure historically used to bewritten in waveform on rolled paper (chart), but with the development ofelectronic equipment, a waveform observing apparatus that displays awaveform by use of a display in place of paper is currently in wide use.

The waveform observing apparatus is capable of displaying in a displaysection a constantly varying measured value, namely a time-serieswaveform, while storing measured data captured from a thermocouple orthe like into a memory mounted to the waveform observing apparatus. Forexample, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-114349 andJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-82133 each disclose awaveform observing apparatus having a display with a touch panel.Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-114349 proposes that, by auser touching a function key displayed in a display section, a functiondesignated by the function key displayed in the display section isexecuted. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-82133 displaysthat, while a displayed waveform is observed, an operation of inputtinga comment or a marking by pen-input is performed using a pen-input touchscreen.

There has been a request as the need for the waveform observingapparatus to rapidly enlarge and reduce a displayed waveform even whenthe waveform observing apparatus repeatedly stops and starts collectionof measured data, while leaving measured data before stoppage on thescreen of the display section. In the case of responding to this firstrequest, it is desired that, when collection of measured data is oncestopped and then resumed, a boundary between the stoppage and theresuming be seen in a display on the screen. Apart from this, however,there has been a problem in that displacement of a handwritten commentoccurs with the enlargement and reduction.

This displacement is described with reference to FIG. 29. FIG. 29A showsa display state when a handwritten comment is written. FIG. 29B shows adisplay state when an enlarged display is made in a time-axial, namelylateral, direction. FIG. 29C shows a display state when a reduceddisplay is made in the time-axial direction.

Further, in ordinary cases, editing and the like are performed using anexternal computer, and with a difference in number of pixels and sizebetween the external computer and the display of the waveform observingapparatus, the foregoing problem of displacement of the handwrittencomment is apt to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a waveform observingapparatus capable of solving the problem of displacement of ahandwritten comment which occurs with enlargement and reduction indisplay.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a waveformobserving apparatus capable of solving the problem of displacementbetween a displayed waveform and a handwritten comment in a case whenmeasured data is edited using an external computer capable of making awaveform display.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the abovetechnical problems are solved by providing a waveform observingapparatus, including a touch panel in a display section and allowing ahandwritten comment to be written in a desired place of a displayedwaveform by use of the touch panel, the apparatus including:

a first image information generating device for generating firsthandwritten comment image information which includes a compression ratioof a waveform display at the time of writing the handwritten comment byuse of the touch panel, along with first image information of thewritten handwritten comment;

a simple indication registering device for registering a simpleindication for displaying a simple indication corresponding to thehandwritten comment;

a memory device for storing the first handwritten comment imageinformation and the registered simple indication;

a compression ratio setting device for setting a compression ratio of awaveform display of the waveform observing apparatus; and

a control device, which

calls up the first handwritten comment image information of thehandwritten comment from the memory device and displays as superimposingthe first image information on a waveform having a time-axial positionwhere the handwritten comment should be displayed in the display sectionof the waveform observing apparatus on the occasion when the waveform isdisplayed in determination of a compression ratio set by the compressionratio setting device to be the same as the compression ratio at the timeof writing the handwritten comment or to be a compression ratio in anallowable range for displacement of an image of the handwritten commentfrom the waveform on display in the waveform observing apparatus at thetime of displaying the image, and also calls up the simple indicationcorresponding to the handwritten comment from the memory device anddisplays as superimposing the first image information on the waveformhaving a time-axial position where the handwritten comment should bedisplayed in the display section of the waveform observing apparatus onthe occasion when the waveform is displayed in determination of thecompression ratio set by the compression ratio setting device to bedifferent from the compression ratio at the time of writing thehandwritten comment or not to be the compression ratio in the allowablerange for displacement of the image of the handwritten comment from thewaveform on display in the waveform observing apparatus at the time ofdisplaying the image.

Namely, in the waveform observing apparatus of the present invention,determining from a compression ratio of a display, when displacementdoes not occur, an image of a handwritten comment is drawn in apredetermined position. On the other hand, when the displacement occurs,a simple indication in association with a waveform portion added withthe handwritten comment is drawn in place of the handwritten comment soas to notify the user that it is the waveform portion added with thehandwritten comment.

In a preferred embodiment further provided is a simple indicationselecting device, with which a user can select a simple indication. Bythe user selecting the simple indication, the compression ratio of thedisplayed waveform is forcefully changed to display in waveform thecompression ratio at the time of writing the handwritten comment, andalso displays the handwritten comment in a predetermined position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the abovetechnical problems are solved by providing a waveform observing system,including the waveform observing apparatus and an external computercapable of storing measured data collected by the waveform observingapparatus and displaying the measured data in waveform, wherein,

along with the measured data collected by the waveform observingapparatus from the waveform observing apparatus, the simple indication,the first handwritten comment image information and second imageinformation associated with the first handwritten comment imageinformation are stored from the waveform observing apparatus into amemory of the external computer,

the simple indication is displayed in the vicinity of a waveform portionadded with the handwritten comment, along with the waveform display ofthe measured data, in the external computer, and

by the user selecting the simple indication, based upon the second imageinformation, an image of a partial waveform in the vicinity of thehandwritten comment is displayed in the external computer, along withthe handwritten comment.

According to this waveform observing system, when a waveform isdisplayed in an external computer, the user can be aware of the presenceof the handwritten comment by looking at the simple indication of theportion added with the handwritten comment, and since the handwrittencomment and an image of a partial waveform in the vicinity of thehandwritten comment are displayed by selection of this simpleindication, it is possible to solve the problem of displacement betweenthe waveform display by use of the external computer and handwrittencomment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a waveform observing apparatus of anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the waveform observing apparatus of theembodiment as in FIG. 1, as well as a view showing a state in which awaterproof cover provided under a display is open;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the waveform observingapparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the waveform observing apparatus of theembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram where elements associated with reduction anddisplay of a waveform in a display section of the waveform observingapparatus are extracted;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a series of processing for generationof information associated with a handwritten comment, along with filingof sampled measured data in a fixed file formation cycle;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining formation of compresseddata at stoppage and immediately after sampling, along with creation ofcompressed data for a reduced display as well as measured-data filing;

FIG. 8 is a list as an exemplification representing the number of piecesof data required for drawing a display dot based upon the relationbetween the sampling cycle and the compression ratio;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining final compressed data atstoppage of sampling and top compressed data immediately after resumingof sampling;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining creation of compressed data at acompression ratio after changed from a plurality of pieces of compresseddata at the time when setting of the compression ratio is changed;

FIG. 11 is flowchart for explaining procedures for creating thecompressed-data file for the reduced display;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a change in setting of thecompression ratio and a series of procedures for creating compresseddata in association with the change;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an example of the reduced display;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a series of processing performed bythe waveform observing apparatus in regard to a difference copy;

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining processing for supplying measureddata from a USB memory to a personal computer and storing the data intothe personal computer in regard to the difference copy;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing forinitializing the USB memory to create a user management file;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing frominsertion of the USB memory into the waveform observing apparatus towriting of the difference data into the USB memory;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing frominsertion of the USB memory having received the difference data into thepersonal computer to writing of the difference data into the personalcomputer;

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a summary of contents of a measureddata file stored in a body memory of the waveform observing apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining information for writing thedifference copy from the body memory of the waveform observing apparatusinto the USB memory;

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining first image information obtained byimaging the handwritten comment, and second image information obtainedby imaging a partial waveform in the vicinity of the handwritten commentalong with the handwritten comment, in association with imageinformation of the handwritten comment;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a series of procedures forgenerating the first and second image information from the handwrittencomment written by use of a touch panel of the waveform observingapparatus;

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining an example of drawing a simpleindication indicating the presence of a handwritten comment when awaveform is formed at a different compression ratio from a compressionratio at the time of writing the handwritten comment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining procedures in the case of drawingthe handwritten comment and in the case of drawing the simple indicationbased upon the compression ratio at the time of writing the handwrittencomment relative to a currently set compression ratio, in associationwith the waveform display and the display of the handwritten comment inthe waveform observing apparatus;

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining an example of drawing a simpleindication indicating the presence of a handwritten comment in awaveform display in an external PC;

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining an example of displaying a commenthistorical log list by clicking the simple indication in the externalPC;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a series of procedures for drawingassociated with the handwritten comment in the external PC;

FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a case where an input of a handwrittencomment is canceled in the waveform observing apparatus; and

FIGS. 29A to 29C are a view for explaining a problem of occurrence ofdisplacement between a handwritten comment and a waveform with change indisplay compression ratio, where FIG. 29A shows a display at the time ofwriting the handwritten comment, FIG. 29B shows a display at the time oftime-axially enlarging and displaying the waveform, and FIG. 29C is adisplay at the time of time-axially reducing and displaying thewaveform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention isdescribed with reference to attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view ofa waveform observing apparatus 1 of an embodiment. The waveformobserving apparatus 1 has a top-open waterproof cover 3 with a lowerhinge below a display section 2, and the waterproof cover 3 can beopened with a lower hinge 5 at the center by releasing a slide lock 4.FIG. 2 shows a state where the waterproof cover 3 is opened. As seenfrom this FIG. 2, a main power switch 6, a start/stop switch button 7, asetting menu button 8, a user key button 9, a touch panel function lockswitch button 10, and a USB connector 11 are exposed by opening thewater proof 3.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the waveform observingapparatus 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the same. The waveformobserving apparatus 1 has a body 20 and a detachable front unit 22 onthe front surface of this body 20. The front unit 22 is made up of acosmetic panel 220, a front surface frame 221, a touch panel 222, and aliquid display 224 having a back light 223 (FIG. 4). The touch panel 222and the liquid display 224 with the back light constitute a slim-typedisplay with a touch panel as the display section 2, and a waveformchart is displayed in the display section 2 as shown in the figure.

The body 20 has a relay substrate 201 located on its front surface in anerect state, and a main substrate 202 that is connected to the upper endof the relay substrate 201 and horizontally extends. The relay substrate201 is installed with ten measurement-unit connectors 203 and fourIO-unit connectors 204. The relay substrate 201 and the main substrate202 are housed inside a body case 205.

The body case 205 is made up of a metal-made outer case 206 and an innerplastic case 207, and in the plastic case 207, multistage shelves in tworight and left columns for housing measurement units 23 and IO units 24are formed. The measurement unit 23 and the IO unit 24 can beconnector-connected by being inserted into the shelves of the plasticcase 207 from its rear side. Namely, the relay substrate 201 that islocated in the erect state ahead of the plastic case 207 is installedwith the connectors 203, 204 in positions associated with the respectiveshelves of the plastic case 207, and the measurement units 23 or the IOunits 24 can be connector-connected by being inserted into therespective shelves of the plastic case 207. Adopting such aconfiguration can reduce the size of the waveform observing apparatus 1.

The measurement unit 23 and the IO unit 24 are respectively installedwith terminal boards 25, 26 on the rear surfaces thereof (FIG. 4), andthe terminal board 25 of the measurement unit 23 is wire-connected witha variety of sensors 27 such as a thermocouple, a resistance temperaturesensor, a flow meter and a pressure sensor. Upon receipt of a signalfrom the sensor 27, an intra-unit microcomputer 28 communicates with aCPU 29 of the main substrate 202 through the relay substrate 201, andtransmits measured data received from the sensor 27 to the mainsubstrate 202.

The CPU 29 of the main substrate 202 performs signal processing inaccordance with a predetermined program, to store the measured data intoa body memory 31 in a predetermined cycle, and also generates an imagesignal for controlling drawing in the display section 2. The mainsubstrate 202 and the display section 2 are connected with each otherthrough the relay substrate 201. When the user touches the touch panel222, a touched position signal, or a coordinate signal, corresponding tothe touch is supplied from the touch panel 222 to the CPU 29 of the mainsubstrate 202, and the CPU 29 realizes a function meant by a keycorresponding to the touched place, or generates a signal for executingscroll of a waveform on display in the display section 2 based upon thecoordinate signal.

The user can write a handwritten comment 50 (FIG. 1) by use of the touchpanel 222 while looking at the waveform displayed on a liquid crystaldisplay. This enables the use of the waveform observing apparatus 1 inmuch the same way as a comment is written on a conventional chart with awaveform written thereon.

The waveform observing apparatus 1 is installed into a control box 32(FIG. 4) at the factory and can be connected to a personal computer 34through an intra-factory LAN 33. The personal computer 34 can displaythe same waveform as the waveform on display in the waveform observingapparatus 1. Further, a copy of data stored in the body memory 31 of thewaveform observing apparatus 1 can be retrieved by inserting the USBmemory 35 as a removable recording medium into the USB connector 11.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portion associated with a waveformdisplay and a handwritten comment written by use of the touch panel 222in the display section 2. A measured data signal inputted from each ofthe variety of sensors 27 connected to the terminal board 25 is inputtedinto the microcomputer 28 through an A/D convertor 40 included in themeasurement unit 23 (FIG. 4), and transmitted from the microcomputer 28to the CPU 29 of the main substrate 202 in accordance with apredetermined sampling cycle selected by the user. Further, thehandwritten comment inputted by handwriting on the touch panel 222 istransmitted through the CPU 29 so that handwritten comment informationis created.

In the waveform observing apparatus 1, in accordance with triggerconditions settable by the user, such as a sampling cycle for capturingmeasured data, a variety of events or a rise, the measured data and thehandwritten comment information are transmitted to the memory controller44 through a trigger detector 42 and temporarily stored into the buffermemory 30. The measured data and the handwritten comment temporarilystored in the buffer memory 30 are then stored into the body memory 31in the state of being filed in each predetermined file creation cycle.Further, the measured data is transmitted to a display controller 46through the memory controller 44, and displayed in waveform in thedisplay section 2, and a handwritten comment is drawn in a predeterminedposition.

Although FIG. 1 shows the waveform observing apparatus 1 in a statewhere waveforms are displayed in the display section 2, and the waveformdisplayed in the display section 2 can be time-axially reduced anddisplayed. For example, the user can select a waveform from a menu(compression ratio setting device 48) displayable in the display section2, so as to set a compression ratio of the waveform display.

A method for storing measured data and handwritten comment informationin the waveform observing apparatus 1 of the embodiment is describedwith reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Measured data and handwritten commentinformation are temporarily stored into the buffer memory 30 (FIG. 5). Ameasured data file is generated in the body memory 31 in eachpredetermined file creation cycle set by the user, and the measured dataand the handwritten comment information in the buffer memory 30 arestored into this measured data file. When sampling is stopped or ameasurement setting condition is changed, a file for measured dataimmediately before the stoppage for storing measured data andhandwritten comment information, temporarily stored in the buffer memory30 at that time, is generated in the body memory 31, and measured dataand handwritten comment information which are not yet filed in thebuffer memory 30 are housed into this file for measured data immediatelybefore the stoppage. This file for measured data immediately before thestoppage corresponds to a file 004 in FIG. 7. This processingconstitutes a device for processing measured data immediately before thestoppage.

After the setting change of the measurement condition, a new measureddata file is generated in the body memory 31 in each predetermined filegeneration cycle. Naturally, a serial number is given to a file name ofeach measured data file. With the serial number included in the filename, it is possible to know a time series of each measured data filestored in the body memory 31.

As for compressed-display measured data in the display section 2, acompressed-data file for display is generated in the body memory 31separately from the above-mentioned measured data file. A plurality ofcompressed-data files for display are prepared correspondingly to aplurality of compression ratios and sampling cycles which are settableby the user.

FIG. 8 is a list as an example for explaining the number of pieces ofdata required for drawing one display dot in combination of the samplingcycle and the compression ratio (Time/div). It is found from FIG. 8that, for example in the case of the sampling cycle being set to 100 msand Time/div. being set to 15 minutes (min.), 300 pieces of measureddata are required for drawing one display dot. Therefore, when thiscompression ratio is set, the maximum value and the minimum value ofevery 300 pieces of measured data are calculated as display data, whichare stored as compressed data into the compressed-data file for display.

Above FIG. 7 is a diagram for schematically explaining this. Forexample, when four pieces of measured data are required for drawing ofone display dot, one compressed data is generated every time fourmeasured data are stored in the buffer memory 30, and this compresseddata is stored into the compressed-data file for display in the bodymemory 31. In the example of FIG. 7, when data collection is stopped, asfor seventeenth measured data as a fraction of the buffer memory 30,fifth compressed data (final compressed data) regarding the seventeenthmeasured data is calculated and stored into the compressed-data file fordisplay. Then, when the data collection is resumed, sixth compresseddata (top compressed data) regarding three pieces of measured data,namely eighteenth to twentieth measured data, as the number of pieces ofdifference data is calculated and stored into the compressed-data filefor display.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the same as above, as well as adiagram regarding the case of a compression ratio requiring 1000 piecesof measured data for drawing one display dot. Every time 1000 pieces ofcompressed data are collected in the buffer memory 30, the maximum valueand the minimum value thereof are calculated, and then stored ascompressed data into the compressed data file, namely thecompressed-data file for display. This is an example of sampling beingstopped at the time of 5200 pieces of measured data. At the time whensampling is stopped, the number of pieces of data of a fraction is 200,and the maximum value and the minimum value in regard to the 200 piecesof the measured data of the fraction are calculated, and those valuesare stored into the compressed-data file for display as final compresseddata (6). When sampling is resumed, at the time when 800 pieces ofmeasured data are collected as data of a fraction, the maximum value andthe minimum value thereof are calculated, and those values are storedinto the compressed-data file for display as top compressed data (7).Subsequently, every time when 1000 pieces of measured data arecollected, the maximum value and the minimum value thereof arecalculated and then stored as compressed data into the compressed-datafile for display.

As thus described, as compressed data in the compressed-data file, atthe time of stopping the sampling, the final compressed data (6) isgenerated by use of measured data of a fraction which were collectedimmediately before the stoppage, and at the time of starting nextsampling, the top compressed data (7) is generated by use of measureddata of a fraction which were collected immediately after the start.Accordingly, at the time of deleting measured data in units of files,deletion of compressed data associated with the stoppage and resumingcan be easily managed. To put it in other words using the above example,when the compressed data is generated based upon 1000 pieces of measureddata in combination of measured data immediately before stoppage of thesampling and measured data immediately after resuming of the sampling,it is difficult to delete compressed data in line with deletion of themeasured data in units of files. Meanwhile, in the reduced display basedupon the compressed data, a boundary between stoppage and resuming ofthe sampling cannot be displayed, and it is thus necessary to displaythis boundary by another means.

Naturally, it is favorable that not only compressed data, namely displaydata, regarding the compression ratio (Time/div.) set to 15 minutes(min.) with respect to the sampling cycle set to 100 ms, but alsocompressed data regarding another single or plural compression ratios begenerated and stored into the compressed-data file for display.

When a plurality of compressed-data files for display with differentcompression ratios are prepared, as shown in FIG. 10, in a case where1000 pieces of measured data are required with respect to one displaydot for displaying a waveform by a display scaling the setting of whichwas changed by the user, a compressed-data file for display with asmaller compression ratio than the compression ratio requiring the 1000pieces of data may be used to calculate display data at the compressionratio requiring the 1000 pieces of measured data.

With reference to FIG. 10 explained is an example where, in the case ofdisplaying a waveform over the display section 2, and a compressionratio of “the number of pieces of data per display dot is 1000” is set,when a compressed-data file for display for this compression ratio isnot prepared, a display is made using compressed data of acompressed-data file for display with a compression ratio of the numberof pieces of data per display being smaller than 1000.

It is to be noted that, although data in the unit of 1000 pieces iscompressed and displayed in the example of FIG. 10, data are present inthe unit of 300 pieces of data in the example shown in the figure, wherein the first 1000 pieces, four pairs of data collected in the unit of300 pieces (1200 pieces of data) are used, and in the next 2000 pieces,three pairs of data collected in the unit of 300 pieces (900 pieces ofdata) are used. This is mere one example, and for example, in the first1000 pieces, four pairs of data collected in the unit of 300 pieces ofdata may be used, and in the next 2000 pieces, four pairs of data from901th data may be used. In addition, the maximum value and the minimumvalue of data in compression units mean the maximum value and theminimum value of data from first to 1200th data actually collected inthe unit of 300 pieces.

As thus described, even when a compression ratio for which acompressed-data file for display is not prepared is set, a data file foranother compression ratio can be diverted and arithmetic processing fordisplaying a waveform at the set compression ratio can be simplified, soas to rapidly change an image display with respect to a change incompression ratio. Display of a handwritten comment with change incompression ratio is described later.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart regarding creation of the compressed-data filefor display. With reference to this FIG. 11, first, in Step S11, thenumber of pieces of data required for drawing one display dot at apredetermined compression ratio is calculated. Then, in next Step S12,measured data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 30 is read, and innext Step S13, it is determined whether or not to be immediately afterstart of sampling.

In this Step S13, when the determination is YES, namely when it isimmediately after start of the sampling, the process proceeds to StepS14, and it is determined whether or not the number of pieces of data ofa fraction has reached the number of pieces of data required forcalculating first top compressed data immediately after start of thesampling. It should be noted that this number of pieces of data of thefraction required for calculating the top compressed data is previouslycalculated. When the determination is NO in above-mentioned Step S14,the process returns to Step S11, and measured data is further read. Whenthe process again returns to Step S14 and the number of pieces ofmeasured data not having been made into compressed data inside thebuffer memory 30 reaches the number of pieces of data of the fraction,the determination is YES, and hence the process proceeds to Step S15. Itis to be noted that, as for the meaning of determination of this StepS14, the above description of the top compressed data (7) immediatelyafter stoppage and resuming of the sampling in FIG. 9 shall bereferenced.

In Step S15, the maximum value and the minimum value of measured data ofan object fraction are calculated to generate top compressed data, andin next Step S16, the top compressed data is stored into a correspondingcompressed-data file for display. Step S16 in this series of processingconstitutes a top compressed data processing device. Next, the processreturns to Step S12, and measured data is read. In next Step S13, thedetermination is NO since the data is not one immediately after thesampling. Then, the process proceeds to Step S17, and it is determinedwhether or not the sampling has been stopped. When the sampling iscontinued, the determination is NO, and hence the process proceeds toStep S18, and it is determined whether or not the number of pieces ofdata has reached the predetermined number of pieces of data which wascalculated in Step S11. When the number of pieces of data has notreached the predetermined number yet, the process returns to Step S12,and measured data not having been made into compressed data inside thebuffer memory 30 is read. Then, when the number of pieces of measureddata not having been made into compressed data reaches a predeterminednumber, the process proceeds to Step S15, and the maximum value and theminimum value thereof are calculated. In Step S16, the compressed datais stored into a corresponding compressed-data file for display. StepS16 in this series of processing constitutes a compressed data storingdevice.

In above Step S17, when the determination is YES, namely when it isdetermined that the sampling has been stopped, the process proceeds toStep S15, and the maximum value and the minimum value of the measureddata not having been made into compressed data inside the buffer memory30 are calculated, to create final compressed data. In next Step S16,this final compressed data is stored into a correspondingcompressed-data file for display (see the above description of the finalcompressed data (6) in FIG. 9). Step S16 in this series of processingconstitutes a final compressed data processing device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of procedures fordrawing in the display section 2 by use of the compressed-data file fordisplay, and each step is described with reference to forgoing FIG. 10.First, it is determined in Step S21 whether or not the user has changedsetting in regard to the compression ratio, and when the determinationis YES (setting has been changed), the process proceeds to Step S22, andthe compression ratio set by the user is read. Subsequently, in nextStep S23, a compressed-data file for display to be used as display datais determined. Next, the number of pieces of compressed data to be usedwith respect to one display dot in the case of using the selectedcompressed-data file for display is decided (S24). In the case of theexample of FIG. 10, this number of pieces of compressed data correspondsto four pieces of compressed data in regard to a first dot, andcorresponds to three pieces of compressed data in regard to a second dotand dots subsequent thereto. Then, in next Step S25, the maximum valueand the minimum value in regard to each display dot are calculated, tocreate recompressed data. This processing constitutes a recompresseddata calculating device.

Next, in Step S26, the presence or absence of a gap formed with the lastdisplay dot is determined. When there seems to be continuity, thedetermination is NO. Hence the process proceeds to Step S27, and drawingis performed in the display section 2. On the other hand, when in StepS26 the determination is YES, namely when it is determined a gap formedwith the last display dot is present, the process proceeds to Step S28,and it is determined whether or not the gap is one regarding a displaydot immediately after stoppage and resuming of the sampling. When thedetermination is NO, the process proceeds to Step S29, and interpolationprocessing for filling the gap formed with the last display dot isperformed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step S27, and drawing isperformed in the display section 2. This series of processingconstitutes an interpolation processing device. On the other hand, whenthe gap is one regarding a display dot immediately after stoppage andresuming of the sampling in Step S28, the determination is YES, andhence the interpolation processing (S29) is cancelled. The processproceeds to above Step S27 without performing the processing for fillingthe gap formed with the last display dot, and drawing is performed inthe display section 2. This series of processing constitutes aninterpolation processing canceling device.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a display mode of the display section 2. Aportion indicated by a plurality of dotted marks in FIG. 13 is a portionsubjected to the interpolation processing of above Step S29. Further,portions indicated by a plurality of vertical lines are maximum valuesor minimum values. The display dots are drawn continuously due to theinterpolation processing of above Step S29, but a portion where thesampling was stopped and started in the middle of the process isdiscontinuous due to cancellation of above Step S29, whereby the usercan visually see the discontinuous portions that appear in the displaysection 2, to immediately know that is the portion where the sample wasstopped and started. In other words, substantially the same display modeas that of the conventional chart can be provided, which is advantageousfor the user familiar with the conventional chart.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams each showing a scheme of a difference copymade by use of the USB memory 35. An edit-copy program for a differencecopy has been previously integrated in the waveform observing apparatus1, and processing of FIG. 14 is executed by this edit-copy program. Withreference to FIG. 14, when a command is inputted from the USB memory 35into the waveform observing apparatus 1 at the time of sampling measureddata, sixteenth and seventeenth measured data which are not yet filedand a new measured data file for housing handwritten comment informationassociated with the sixteenth and seventeenth measured data aregenerated in the body memory 31. A file name including the serial number004 is given to the measured data file, and also the sixteenth andseventeenth measured data and handwritten comment information associatedtherewith which are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 30 arehoused into this new fourth measured data file 004.

Assuming that data up to thirteenth measured data have been previouslycopied, currently, a third measured data file 003 housing the thirteenthmeasured data houses eleventh to fifteenth measured data. In the USBmemory 35, written as objects of the difference copy are copies of thethird measured data file 003 and the eleventh to fifteenth measured datahoused therein, and the fourth measured data file 004 that wasexceptionally created before the normal file creation cycle and giventhe file name including the serial number and the sixteenth andseventeenth measured data housed therein.

FIG. 15 shows measured data files stored in an internal memory of thepersonal computer 34. Before capturing of the third measured data file003 and the fourth measured data file 004 from the USB memory 35, firstto third measured data files 001 to 003 are stored in the personalcomputer 34, but the contents of the third measured data file 003 arethe eleventh to thirteenth measured data. When the third measured datafile 003 and the fourth measured data file 004 are transmitted from theUSB memory 35 to the personal computer 34, the third measured data file003 is overwritten. Therefore, after reception of the data from the USBmemory 35, the personal computer 34 is in the state of housing the firstmeasured data file 001 to the fourth measured data file 004 andhandwritten comment information associated therewith. The third measureddata file 003 includes the eleventh to fifteenth measured data andhandwritten comment information associated therewith. Meanwhile, thecontents of the fourth measured data file 004 are the sixteenth andseventeenth measured data and handwritten comment information associatedtherewith. Those contents are the same as the contents of the bodymemory 31 of the waveform observing apparatus 1 at the time of receivingthe difference copy command from the USB memory 35.

As thus described, managing measured data in units of files can not onlyensure convenience in use of measured data, but also prevent leakage ofdata in seeking a cause of inconvenience in use of the personal computer34 since a difference copy including measured data temporarily stored inthe buffer memory 30 at the time of executing the difference copy ofmeasured data by use of the USB memory 35 is supplied to the personalcomputer 34. It goes without saying that, with the use of the differencecopy, writing of data from the waveform observing apparatus 1 into theUSB memory 35 and writing of the USB memory 35 into the personalcomputer 34 can be made efficient.

A specific one example regarding the difference copy is described withreference to flowcharts of FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG. 16 shows proceduresregarding initial setting of the USB memory 35. The personal computer 34has been previously integrated with a program regarding a copy ofmeasured data, and using this personal computer 34, initial setting ofthe USB memory 35 can be performed. In Step S31, the USB memory 35 isinserted into the personal computer 34, and after the data copy programof the personal computer 34 has been activated, necessary items such asa user ID and a password are inputted on an initial setting screendisplayed on a monitor of the personal computer 34 (S32) so that a usermanagement file housing the necessary items is stored into the USBmemory 35 (S33).

FIG. 17 shows procedures for acquiring the difference copy from thewaveform observing apparatus 1 by use of the USB memory 35. When the USBmemory 35 is inserted into the waveform observing apparatus 1 and theuser ID and the password are inputted for log-in (S41), an edit-copyprogram activating command and a difference copy command are transmittedfrom the USB memory 35 to the waveform observing apparatus 1 (S42), andthereby, the waveform observing apparatus 1 executes reading of a copyhistory stored in the USB memory 35 (S43). Naturally, the waveformobserving apparatus 1 may store the copy history of the user.

With reference to the copy history, in the case of the example of FIG.14, when the measured data up to the thirteenth measured data have beencopied, the presence or absence of measured data having not been filedis determined, other than the existing third measured data file 003storing measured data after the thirteenth measured data up to thefifteenth measured data (S44). When the determination is YES, namely inthe case of the example of FIG. 14, when the temporarily storedsixteenth measured data, the latest seventeenth measured data, andhandwritten comment information associated therewith are present in thebuffer memory 30 at the time of receiving the copy command from the USBmemory 35, in next Step S45, a new measured data file is created in thebody memory 31 of the waveform observing apparatus 1, and also the filename including the serial number (004) is given to the new measured datafile, and the sixteenth and seventeenth measured data are housed intothis fourth measured data. Subsequently, in next Step S26, copies of thethird measured data file 003, the fourth measured data file 004, andhandwritten comment information associated therewith are supplied to theUSB memory 35, and written into the USB memory 35.

When in above Step S44, the determination is NO, namely when temporarilystored measured data having not been filed is not present in the buffermemory 30, the process shifts to Step S46, and out of the measured datafiles stored in the body memory 31 of the waveform observing apparatus1, a measured data file including measured data of the difference issupplied to the USB memory 35, and written into the USB memory 35.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the measured datafile. The measured data file houses: measurement setting data that wasset at the time of collecting data in the waveform observing apparatus1; an alarm that was generated during a period of collecting measureddata housed in the measured data file; and handwritten commentinformation that was inputted by the user, and it should be understoodthat the difference of the above measured data includes these alarm andhandwritten comment.

With reference to FIG. 18, procedures for transmitting data from the USBmemory 35 to the personal computer 34 are described. When the USB memory35 is inserted into the personal computer 34, the process proceeds fromStep S51 to next Step S52, and a measured data copying program of thepersonal computer 34 is activated. By this measured data copyingprogram, a measured data file stored in the USB memory 35 is captured,and the captured measured data file is stored into a hard disk as aninternal memory of the personal computer 34 (S53).

Step S54 is described in the case of the forgoing example of FIG. 15.Before reception of the difference data from the USB memory 35, the harddisk of the personal computer 34 stores the first measured data file 001to the third measured data file 003 and handwritten comment informationassociated therewith, and the contents of the third measured data file003 are the eleventh to thirteenth measured data and handwritten commentinformation associated therewith. Upon receipt of copies of the thirdmeasured data file 003, the fourth measured data file 004 andhandwritten comment information associated therewith as the differencedata from the USB memory 35, the third measured data file 003 isoverwritten. Therefore, while the hard disk of the personal computer 34after reception of the difference data from the USB memory 35 comes intothe state of storing the first measured data file 001 to the fourthmeasured data file 004, the third measured data file 003 includes theeleventh to fifteenth measured data and handwritten comment informationassociated therewith.

Upon completion of transmission of the copy of the measured data filefrom the personal computer 34 in Step S53, the process proceeds to StepS54, and the copy history file of the USB memory 35 is updated, to writeinto the USB memory 35 that the measured data up to the seventeenthmeasured data have been copied. Further, in Step S55, the third measureddata file 003 and the fourth measured data file 004 inside the USBmemory 35 are deleted. Upon completion of a series of these steps, themeasured data copying program of the personal computer 34 is completed(S56).

FIG. 20 schematically shows a variety of files stored in the body memory31 of the waveform observing apparatus 1, and the contents of thedifference copy written into the USB memory 35. Handwritten commentsincluded in the measured data file includes first image informationwithout a background and second image information with a background,which are detailed later. An edit-copy file for the difference copy tobe written into the USB memory 29 includes a comment log history inaddition to measured data, the first image information without abackground and the second image information with a background.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the first image information withouta background and the second image information with a background. Whilethe display section 2 of the waveform observing apparatus 1 is providedwith the touch panel 222 as has been described above, FIG. 21 shows anexample of hand-writing an “arrow” and a comment “abnormal here” by useof the touch panel 222.

FIG. 22 shows procedures regarding creation of image information of ahandwritten comment. With reference to FIG. 22, when a handwrittencomment is written into the touch panel 222, the process proceeds fromStep S61 to Step S62. In Step S62, a rectangular frame 52 circumscribinga portion where the comment was hand-written is created, and acoordinate (x1, y1) of a central position O of the frame 52 iscalculated. Subsequently, in Step S63, the coordinate (x1, y1) of thetouch panel 222 is replaced by a measured data number N that specifiesthe time-axial direction (x1) of the central coordinate. Thisreplacement is meant by that in the present embodiment, at the time ofspecifying a time-axial input position for a handwritten comment withreference to the waveform, the specification is performed based upon thenumber of pieces of waveform data (measured data number N) counted fromthe first waveform data. Further, needless to say, as data of a commentredisplayed position in the case of redisplaying the handwritten commentin a variety of forms with respect to the waveform, this number ofpieces of waveform data (measured data number N) is stored into the bodymemory 31 in association with a variety of commend data. Further, as amethod for specifying the time-axial input position of this handwrittencomment with respect to the waveform, a technique may be employed, thetechnique directly specifying a time-axis where the comment was inputtedand storing the input time so as to store the input position inassociation with a variety of comment data. Moreover, as for thehandwritten comment, by a coordinate (y1) in the Y-direction of thetouch panel 222, information in the height direction of the coordinate(x1) in the X-direction of the comment is also stored into the bodymemory 31 as the data of a comment redisplay position in associationwith a variety of comment data.

In next Step S64, a compression ratio (Time/div) of the waveform in thedisplay section 2 at the time of writing the handwritten comment isread, and first handwritten comment image information without abackground is created. Next, in Step S66, the portion where the commentwas handwritten is created as second handwritten comment imageinformation with a background. While the size of a frame 54 of thissecond image information is arbitrarily settable by the user, the secondimage information includes a waveform in the vicinity of the writtenhandwritten comment as an image, along with the handwritten comment.Then, in Step S67, the first image information is given a commentnumber, a compression ratio (Time/div.) of the waveform display at thetime of creating the comment, positional information of the center O ofthe rectangular frame 52, and a time T specifying the time-axial lengthof the rectangular frame 52. A series of steps except for Step S66constitutes a first image information generating device. The secondimage information is associated with the first image information bymeans of the measured data number N included in the first imageinformation, and the like.

Apart from the first and second image information associated with thehandwritten comments, letter strings for simple indications areregistered. Specifically, a method of automatically registering lettersfor register as text or image information may be adopted, or a method ofsetting and registering desired letters as text or image information bythe user may be adopted. Further, a method of performing letterrecognizing processing on a comment inputted as a handwritten comment toautomatically recognize the letters and set the recognized letters astext or image information may be adopted. As the method forautomatically registering letters for register as text or imageinformation, a method of registering a date and time when thehandwritten comment is inputted and a comment number given to thecomment is considered. It is therefore preferable to allow the user toselect the foregoing variety of simple indication forms for displaying asimple indication according to the need. It is to be noted that thissimple-indication registering is performed by use of the PC 34. Further,it goes without saying that a simple indication corresponding to eachregistered handwritten comment is stored into the body memory 31 alongwith comment redisplayed position data for the case of redisplay withrespect to a waveform.

With reference to FIG. 23, in the waveform observing apparatus 1, whensetting of the compression ratio (Time/div.) is changed to a differentcompression ratio from the compression ratio at the time of writing thehandwritten comment, a simple indication 56 indicating the presence ofthe handwritten comment is displayed, instead of handwritten comment, ina position corresponding to a portion where the handwritten comment waswritten.

This respect is detailed based upon a flowchart of FIG. 24. In Step S71,when a handwritten comment is present in association with a waveform ondisplay in the waveform observing apparatus 1, the process proceeds toStep S72, and it is determined whether or not the current compressionratio (Time/div.) is the same as the compression ratio at the time ofwriting the handwritten comment. When the determination is YES (thesame), the process proceeds to Step S73, the first image information isread, and the handwritten comment is displayed as superimposed on awaveform displayed in the display section 2 of the waveform observingapparatus 1. More specifically, when the CPU (control device) 29 makesthe display section 2 display part of the entire waveform and theoperator scrolls the displayed waveform, waveform positional informationdisplayed in the display section 2 (e.g. the number of pieces ofwaveform data given sequentially from a first waveform data with respectto the entire waveform stored, namely the measured data number N) isrecognized, and when first image information having positionalinformation in line with the displayed waveform positional informationis present, at that point, the first image information is called up fromthe body memory 31, and displayed in the display section 2.

In above Step S72, when the current compression ratio (Time/div.)differs from the compression ratio at the time of writing thehandwritten comment, the determination is NO, and hence the processproceeds to Step S74. When the handwritten comment 50 is displayed atthe current compression ratio, it is determined whether or notdisplacement of the handwritten comment 50 is in an allowable range.When the determination is YES, namely when the displacement is in theallowable range, the process proceeds to Step S73, and the first imageinformation is read, to display an image of the handwritten comment 50in the display section 2.

In above Step S74, when the determination is NO, namely when the currentcompression ratio differs from the compression ratio at the time ofwriting the handwritten comment in displaying the handwritten comment 50to such a degree as to cause occurrence of non-allowable displacement,the process proceeds to Step S75, and a simple indication 56 (FIG. 23)indicating the presence of the handwritten comment is made in a positionassociated with a portion of the waveform corresponding to the measureddata number. Namely, using any of the foregoing techniques, the simpleindication with respect to the handwritten comment, which is storedinside the body memory 31, is called up from the body memory 31 at thetime of becoming consistent with the time-axial direction of thewaveform that is displayed while scrolled in the display section 2, andthe simple indication is displayed in the display section 2 along withthe waveform.

By looking at the simple indication 56 displayed by this simpleindication drawing device, the user can be aware of the presence of thehandwritten comment in the relevant portion. When this simple indication56 is clicked by the user, the process proceeds from Step S76 to StepS77, and the current compression ratio (Time/div.) in the displaysection 2 is forcefully changed, to switch the display to a display atthe compression ratio at the time of writing the handwritten comment,and also in Step S78, the image of the handwritten comment 50 isdisplayed in the relevant portion.

As a modified example of the forced change in compression ratio, whenthe user clicks the simple indication 56, the second image informationmay be read, and an image of a handwritten comment with a background,namely a handwritten comment and a partial waveform image, may bedisplayed for example in one corner of the display section 2.

Therefore, when the simple indication 56 is displayed, it is possiblefor the user to know the presence of the handwritten comment in therelevant portion without the need for paying attention to the height ofthe currently set compression ratio and the compression ratio at thetime of writing the handwritten comment, and when wishing to know thecontents of the handwritten comment, it is possible to click the simpleindication 56, so as to make the handwritten comment displayed, alongwith a waveform display based upon the compression ratio at the time ofwriting the handwritten comment 50. Naturally, since the waveform isdisplayed at the compression ratio at the time of writing thehandwritten comment, it is possible to make the handwritten comment 50displayed in the same state as the user wrote it without occurrence ofany displacement.

FIGS. 25 to 27 are views each regarding a display of a handwrittencomment in association with a waveform display by use of the PC 34 (FIG.4). The number of dots on the monitor screen of the PC 34 typicallydiffers from that in the display section 2. In the waveform display byuse of the PC 34, as shown in FIG. 25, the presence of the handwrittencomment is displayed by the simple indication 56. When this simpleindication 56 is clicked, a comment log history list is displayed (FIG.26), and when a desired comment (comment 5 in the case of the example ofthe figure) is selected, second image information of the comment 5 isread into the PC 34, and a handwritten comment with a background, namelya handwritten comment and an image of a partial waveform, is displayedin the PC 34.

The handwritten-comment display in the PC 34 is described based upon aflowchart of FIG. 27. First, when a handwritten comment is present in awaveform on display in the PC 34 in Step S81, the determination is YES,and hence the process proceeds to Step S82, and the simple indication 56is displayed in a position corresponding to a measured data number inthe displayed waveform. Then, when a desired simple indication 56 isclicked from the simple indications 56 on display in the PC 34, acomment historical log list 58 (FIG. 26) is displayed (S84). Then, byselecting one log (comment) from this list 58, second image informationassociated with the selected comment is read into the PC 34, and animage of a handwritten comment including a partial waveform is displayedin the PC 34 (S86).

As a modified example, in place of the above comment historical log list58, second image information associated with the simple indication 56may be read by clicking the simple indication 56 on display in the PC34, to display an image of a handwritten comment including a partialwaveform in the personal computer 34.

It goes without saying that, when displacement of the handwrittencomment does not occur in the waveform display in the PC 34 even withthe handwritten comment displayed in a predetermined position based uponthe first image information, the handwritten comment image 50 (FIG. 1)can be displayed in a predetermined position of the waveform on displayin the PC 34, as in the waveform observing apparatus 1.

Although the displayed waveform and handwritten comment in associationwith the waveform observing apparatus 1 are described above, it isnatural that the present invention is equally applicable to a waveformobserving apparatus having functions of enlarged/reduced displays in twodirections, a time-axial direction (x) and a measured value direction(y), such as an oscilloscope.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28, in the waveform observing apparatus 1,when a handwritten comment is written in a portion time-axiallydeviating from the waveform on display in the display section 2, it isfavorable to cancel this writing and also display an error message.

What is claimed is:
 1. A waveform observing apparatus with a touch panelin a display section that allows a handwritten comment to be written ona displayed waveform by use of the touch panel, the apparatuscomprising: a compression setting device for setting a compression ratioof a waveform in a time-axial direction; a memory device for storing afirst handwritten comment in association with a position where thehandwritten comment is inputted, the handwritten comment is inputted bymeans of the touch panel when a waveform is displayed on the displaysection at a first compression ratio; and a displaying device whichdisplays with the waveform the handwritten comment in the position wherethe handwritten comment is inputted, if the compression ratio of thewaveform is the same as the first compression ratio or within anallowable range for displacement of an image of the handwritten commentand a simple indication which indicates a presence of the handwrittencomment, instead of the handwritten comment, in the position where thehandwritten comment is inputted, if the compression ratio of thewaveform is a second compression ratio that is different from the firstcompression ratio and outside the allowable range.
 2. The waveformobserving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first compressionratio at the time the handwritten comment is inputted is stored in thememory device.
 3. The waveform observing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the waveform is scrolled in the time-axial direction by a touchon the touch panel, and the handwritten comment or the simple indicationis scrolled in the time-axial direction when the waveform is scrolled inthe time-axial direction.
 4. The waveform observing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the simple indication is displayed in a positioncorresponding in the time-axial direction to the position wherehandwritten comment is inputted.
 5. The waveform observing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a coordinate of the handwritten comment isstored in the memory device and the coordinate is created by arectangular frame circumscribing the handwritten comment.
 6. Thewaveform observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thehandwritten comment is displayed when the waveform is displayed at thesecond compression ratio, if the simple indication is clicked.
 7. Thewaveform observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thehandwritten comment is stored in the memory device as image information.8. The waveform observing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein aplurality of compressed-data files for displaying a compressed waveformin the display section is generated corresponding to the compressionratio and a sampling cycle for displaying waveform.
 9. The waveformobserving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when a compressionratio which differs to the compression ratio of the plurality ofcompressed data files is set by the compression setting device, arecompressed data is generated from the compressed data filecorresponding to the set compression ratio, and a waveform in accordancewith the recompressed data is displayed in the display section.
 10. Thewaveform observing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising,an interpolation processing device for filling a gap to a last displaydot to display a waveform having a continuity, when the waveform isdisplayed by using the compressed data file.
 11. The waveform observingapparatus according to claim 10, further comprising, an interpolationprocessing canceling device for cancelling the interpolation processingif the gap is the last display gap immediately after stoppage andresuming of sampling.
 12. The waveform observing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein information in the height direction of the handwrittencomment is also stored into the memory device in association with thehand written comment.
 13. The waveform observing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein information in the time-axial length of the handwrittencomment is also stored into the memory device in association with thehand written comment.
 14. The waveform observing apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein information in the time-axial length of thehandwritten comment is also stored into the memory device in associationwith the hand written comment.
 15. The waveform observing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a rectangular frame circumscribing thehandwritten comment is created.
 16. The waveform observing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the handwritten comment is stored in thememory device as image information and the image information of the handwritten comment is read from the memory device and displayed assuperimposed on the waveform, if the compression ratio of the waveformis the second compression ratio.
 17. The waveform observing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a rectangular frame circumscribing thehandwritten comment is created and a coordinate of a central position ofthe rectangular frame is stored in the memory device.
 18. The waveformobserving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rectangular framecircumscribing the handwritten comment is created, a coordinate of acentral position of the rectangular frame is stored in the memory deviceand information in the time-axial length of the handwritten comment isalso stored into the memory device in association with the hand writtencomment.
 19. A waveform observing apparatus with a touch panel in adisplay section that allows a handwritten comment to be written on adisplayed waveform by use of the touch panel, the apparatus comprising:a compression setting device for setting a compression ratio of awaveform in a time-axial direction; a memory device for storing a firsthandwritten comment in association with a position where the handwrittencomment is inputted, the handwritten comment is inputted by means of thetouch panel when a waveform is displayed on the display section at afirst compression ratio; and a displaying device which displays with thewaveform the handwritten comment in the position where the handwrittencomment is inputted, if the compression ratio of the waveform is thesame as the first compression ratio and a simple indication whichindicates a presence of the handwritten comment, instead of thehandwritten comment, in the position where the handwritten comment isinputted, if the compression ratio of the waveform is a secondcompression ratio that is different from the first compression ratio.20. The waveform observing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein thesimple indication is displayed in a position corresponding in thetime-axial direction to the position where handwritten comment isinputted.